Film metering device

ABSTRACT

A film metering device in a camera for use with film having a perforation for each film frame consists of a toothed film transporting wheel which can be held against rotation by a rigid pawl forming part of a control lever which is biased from a starting position through an intermediate position and to an operative position in which the pawl engages the wheel. The lever has a springy arm which tracks the film and enters an oncoming perforation to permit movement of the lever to its intermediate position. The arm is deformed in response to further transport of the film and permits movement of the lever to its operative position upon completed transport of the film by the length of a frame. A follower element forming part of the springy arm engages a cam element formed on the camera having to lock the arm in its tensed operative position. The shutter release serves to unlock the springy arm and to return the lever and arm to their starting position.

United States Patent Inventors Dieter Maas Munich; Richard Schmierl. Lnterhaching, both of, Germany [2l] Appl. No. 858,463 [22] Filed Sept. 16. 1969 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [73] Assignee Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft Leverltusen. Germany [32] Priority Sept. 21, 1968 [33] Germany [31] P1797 375.0

[54] FILM METERING DEVICE 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl. 95/31 FM, 95/31 FL [51] int. Cl. G03b 1/62 [50] Field of Search 95/31 FM; 7 242/71, 71.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.559.892 7/1951 Mihalyi et al. 95/31 (FM) 3,416,425 l2/l968 Rigolini 95/31 (FM) Primary ExaminerS amuel 5. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Russell E. Adams. Jr. Attorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A film metering device in a camera for use with film having a perforation for each film frame consists of a toothed film transporting wheel which can be held against rotation by a rigid pawl forming part of a control lever which is biased from a starting position through an intermediate position and to an operative position in which the pawl engages the wheel. The lever has a springy arm which tracks the film and enters an oncoming perforation to permit movement of the lever to its intermediate position. The arm is deformed in response to further transport of the film and permits movement of the lever to its operative position upon completed transport of the film by the length of a frame. A follower element forming part of the springy arm engages a cam element formed on the camera having to lock the arm in its tensed operative position. The shutter release serves to unlock the springy arm and to return the lever and arm to their starting position.

FILM METERING DEVICE BACKGROUND or THE'lNVENTlON The present invention relates to photographic apparatus in general, and more particularly to-improvement in photographic apparatus for use with film of the type having a row of perforation, one for each film frame. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in photographic apparatus which are provided with means for preventing repeated film transport between successiveexposures.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION An objectof the-invention is to provide a simple. compact and inexpensive camera for use with roll film the type having a perforation for each film frame and to con struct and assemble the camera in such a way that a single control member suffices toautomatically terminate the transport of film when the film is advanced bythe length of a frame following the completion of an exposure and wherein such control member also servesto prevent repeated transport of film between successive exposures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved control member which can beused in the above outlined photographic apparatus.

The photographic apparatus of our.,invention is used with roll film of the type havinga rowof perforations, one forcach film frame, and comprises film transporting means operative to advance the film alonga predetermined path. a housing supporting the film transporting means and defining the aforementioned path, and a control. member which is mpvable in the housing between starting and operative positions and through an intermediate position and permanently tends to assume its operative position The control membfitppmprises a preferably rigid first portion which is arranged to prevent 7 operation of thefilm transporting means in operative position of the control member and a springy second portion which is adjacent to the path for the film and tends to enter an oncoming perforation during transport of the film to thereby permit movement of the control member from its starting to its intermediate position. The second portion undergoes deformation in,response to further transport of the film to thus permit movement of the control memberto its operative position upon completed transport ofthefilm by the length ofa frame.

The second portion of the control member preferably comprises a follower element which tracks a cam element of the housing in the intermediate position of the control member. One of these elements is provided with a recess, notch or alike opening which receives the other element in operative position ofthe control member. The control member is preferably a lever which is pivotable between'its operative and starting positions and is moved back to starting position in response to actuation of the shutter release.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved photographic-apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will behest understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. .l'is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a still camera which embodies one form ofthe invention,

FIG. i is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a second still camera; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of a third camera.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion 'of a still camera having a housing I provided in its interior with a film guide or platform 2 having a cutout or opening 2a. The front (upper) surface of the platform 2 guides the "roll film 3 which is.provided with a row of equidistant perforations 3a, one for each film frame. The perforations 3a travel along a straight path in front of the opening 20 when the film 3 is being transported by a mechanism including a shaft 4 which is rotatably mounted in the housing land can be rotated by a toothed wheel 5. The shaft 4 forms part of or is connected with a takeup reel or spool which collects exposed film.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the means for preventing repeated transport offilm between successive exposures and for insuring the film is transported only by the length of a frame in response to each manipulation of the wheel 5 comprises a one-piece control member 6 which is a lever fulcrumed at 7 and having an elastically deformable integral springy arm 6a which bears against a fixed retainer 8 in the housing I. The'arm 60 tends to turn the'control lever 6 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. The lever 6 further comprises two rigid arms 6b, 6c; the arm 6b can be moved into engagement with the teeth of the film transporting wheel 5' and thus constitutes a pawl which can prevent further transportof film 3 as soon as it engages. the wheel 5. The arm 60 serves to return'the control lever 6 to the starting position shown in FIG. land can be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction by a two-armed lever 10 which is pivoted clockwise in response to depression ofa shutter release knob 9 mounted in the front wall of the housing 1. The lever 6 further comprises a springy arm 6d having a tipwhich can enter the oncoming perforations 3a of the film'3. The tip then serves to deform the arm 6:1 by pivoting it with reference to the remaining arms of the control lever 6. The arm 6d is provided with an extension or follower 6d having a tracking face 6e provided with an opening or notch 6f.

FIG. 1 illustrates thecontrol lever 6 in 'a starting position which the lever assumes upon completion of an exposure. As shown, the tip of the arm 6d is remote from the nearest perforation 3a and bearsagainst the front side ofthe film 3 and against a fixed stop 11 in the housing 1. The latter supports a second fixed stop 12 which constitutes a cam and serves to cooperate with the tracking face 6e of the follower 6D.

prior to making the next exposure, the operator of the camera must transport the film.3 by the length ofa frame. This is achieved by rotating the wheel 5 and the shaft 4 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. I, whereby the takeup reelcollects the film and the next-following (oncoming) perforation 30 (not shown) travels toward the tip of the arm 611'. When the tip of the arm 6:! enters the oncoming perforation 3a, it also penetrates into the opening 2a of the film guide 2 under the action of the springy arm 6a. The control lever 6 then dwells in an intermediate position. The film 3 continues to advance in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. I, so that the springy arm 6d undergoes deformation by pivoting in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1. The arrangement is such that, when the'tip of the arm 6d is free to enter an oncoming perforation 3a and the opening 2a, the tracking face 6e of the follower 6D can engage the cam 12 which then holds the control lever 6 in the intermediate position in which the pallet 6b of the arm 6b is adjacent to but still spaced from the teeth of the film transporting wheel 5, i.e., the operation is still free to rotate this wheel in a counterclockwise direction and to transport the film 3 forwardly. Such further rotation of the wheel 5 and the resulting transport of film 3 in 3 and the pallet 61) of the arm 6b is free to engage the adjacent tooth of the wheel 5. The wheel 5 and shaft4 are held against further rotation in a counterclockwise direction at the exact moment when the transport of film 3 by the length ofa frame is completed. This is the operative position of the control lever 6. it will be seen that the springy arm 60 is capable of moving the control lever 6 from the illustrated starting position to the intermediate position as soon as the tip of the arm 64 registers with an oncoming perforation 3a of the film, and that the arm' 6a is thereupon free to move the control lever all theway to the operative position in which the cam 12 is received in the v notch 6fof the follower6D when'the arm 6d has undergone a certain deformation necessary to place the notch ofinto registry with the cam 12..

The camera is now ready to make the next exposure which is initiatedin response to depression of-the knob-9. This knob pivots the lever .10 in a clockwise direction so that the lefthand arm of the lever engages the rigid arm 6: and pivots the control lever 6 in a counterclockwise direction whereby the'notch 6fis moved away from the cam 12 and the tip of the arm 6d is withdrawn from the opening as Wellas from 'the adjacent perforation 3a., The arm 6d is thenvfree to dissipate energy and returns'into abutment with the stopl l to take the position shown in H6. 1. The springy arm 60 is stressed during .counterclockwise pivotal movement ofthe rigid arms 6b. 6c of the control leverj6lThe extent of clockwise pivotal movement of the springy arm 6d into engagement with the stop 11 is selected insuch a way that the. tip of the arm 6d is then away fromreg'istry with the perforation 3a,-i.e.. the arm 6d cannot .reeriter that perforation 3a from which it was withdrawn in response to depression of the knob 9 The camera is ready to make the next exposure as soon as the operator again rotates the wheel 5 in a counterclockwise direction totra nsport the film 3 by the length ofa frame.

v The camera of FIG. 2 comprises a release knob 109 which is I .installed in the top wall of the housing 101 and includes a cam 109a which. can directly engage the rigidarm 106 c ofa control lever 106 turnableon a pivot pin '107. The film guideor platform 102 of the housing 101 comprises'a composite cutout or opening including a shallower portion 102C and a de per'portion l02b. the arm 106d ofthe control lever 106 is elastic and normally bears against an L-shaped stop 111. The deeper portion 102b of the opening in the film guide 102 is analogous to the notch 6fin the arm 6d of FlG.- 1. This opening can also be provided on the rear wall of the housing 101. A-stop 113 is provided-to guide the rigid arm 106b of the control lever 106 during movement toward'engagement with thefilm transporting wheel 105. The springy arm 1060 of the lever 106 bears against the retainer 108.

When the wheel 105 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction while the control lever 106 dwells in the starting position of FIG. 2, the film 3 moves in a direction to the right and the tip of the springy arm 106 d enters the oncoming perforation 3a as well as the portion 102c of the opening in the film guide 102. The control lever 106 then assumes its intermediate position in which the wheel 105 is still free to transport the film 3 because the opening 1020 is so shallow that the pallet of the arm 10612 cannot engage the teeth of the wheel 105. The film 3 deforms the arm 1061! so that thelatters' tip travels in the opening 102; and ultimately enters the opening 102!) whereby the arm 106b engages and holds the'wheel 105 against further rotation in a counterclockwise directionThis is the operative position of the control lever 106..T h q camcra is then ready for the next exposure which is made in i'esponse to depression of the release 109. The cam 10? rz pivots ihe control lever 106 in a counterclockwise direction by way of the rigid arm 1060' and against the opposition of the springy arm 1060. The arm 106d is withdrawn from the opening 102!) and perforation 3a and is'fr'ee to return into abutment with the stop 11]. The stop 1l3 constitutes an anvil against which the arm 106k abuts while holding the wheel 105 against rotation in a counterclockwise direction in the operatiyeposition of the control lever 106.

106d constitutes a follower and the adjacent portion of the platform 102 constitutes acam along which the follower slides in the intermediate position ofthe control lever 106. The tip or follower of the arm;106d-enters the opening 102 of this cam when the transport of the film .3 is completed whereby the arm 1060 is free to move the control lever 106 to its operatiye position. Thus, the opening '(6for 1021;) can be provided in the follower (extension 6D) or in the cam (platform 102).

In FIG. 3, all such partswhich are clearly analogous to the parts of the camera shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by similar reference characters plus 100. The difference between the cameras of FIGS. 2 and 3 is that the member 211 serves as an abutment for the springy arm 206d as well as a stop for holding the control member 206 in its intermediate. position. The front face 211a ofthe stop 211 is adjacent to but spaced from an extension 206s of the arm 206d in the starting position of the control lever 206. In the intermediate position of the lever 206, thetip of the arm 206d extends into the oncoming perforation 3a and partly into the opening '202bof the film guided 202 because the extension 206 then bears against the front face 211a of the stop 211. The extension 2062 moves beyond the front face 2110 when the control lever 206 assumes its operative position so that the tip of the arm 206d can fpenetrate deeper intothe opening202b. The arm 206k then .tuation of the release 9; 109

bears against the stop 213 and holds the wheel 205 against further rotation in a counterclockwise direction.

Exposure is made in response to depression of the release 209 whichactuates the shutter and causes its cam 209a to effect return movement of the control leyer 207 to the illustrated starting position. I v v In the embodiment of FIG. 3,.a portion of the arm 206a constitutes a follower and the parts 202, 211 together constitute a cam which (namely, the face 21 la) is trackedby the extension 2060 ofthe follower in the intermediate position ofthe control lever 206. The cam is provided with the opening 202!) into which the follower. extendsin the operative position of the lever 206. I v

It is clear that the improved camera is susceptible of many additional modifications without departing from the spirit of the presentinvention. For example, the control lever 6, 106 or 206 can be replaced with a reciprocable slide and this lever (or the slide) can further serve as, a means for preventing acor 209 when it dwells in the starting position.

Without further analysis; the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of our contribution to the art.

What we claim as new and desire to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

1. ln a photographic apparatus for use with roll film of the type having a. row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising film transporting means operative to advance the film along a predetermined path; a housing supporting said film transporting'means and defining said path; and a control member movable in said housing between starting and operative positionsand through an intermediate position and tending to assume saidoperativeposition, said control member comprising a first portion arranged to prevent operation of said film transporting means in operative position of said control member and a springy second portion adjacent to said path and tending to enter an oncoming perforation during transport of the film to thereby permit movement of said control member from starting to intermediate position and to undergo deformation in response to further transport of film to permit movement of said controlmember to operativeposition upon completed transport of the 'film by the length of a frame. i Y

portion of said control memberis rigid.

ment in the intermediate position ofsaid control mem her.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein one of said 6. A combination as defined in claim I, further comprising release means actuatable to move said control member from operative to starting position and to thus permit rent-wed operation ofsaid film transporting means.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said control portion can reassume its normal condition in which it engages stop means provided therefor in said housing.

8. A combination as defined in claim I, wherein said control follower element having ment in the operative position of said control member.

10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a film forms part ofsaid film guide.

12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a wall and said cam element forms part of said wall. 

1. In a photographic apparatus for use with roll film of the type having a row of perforations, one for each film frame, a combination comprising film transporting means operative to advance the film along a predetermined path; a housing supporting said film transporting means and defining said path; and a control member movable in said housing between starting and operative positions and through an intermediate position and tending to assume said operative position, said control member comprising a first portion arranged to prevent operation of said film transporting means in operative position of said control member and a springy second portion adjacent to said path and tending to enter an oncoming perforation during transport of the film to thereby permit movement of said control member from starting to intermediate position and to undergo deformation in response to further transport of film to permit movement of said control member to operative position upon completed transport of the film by the length of a frame.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the first portion of said control member is rigid.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said film transporting means comprises a rotary toothed member and said first portion comprises an arm which engages said toothed member in the operative position of said control member.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion includes a follower element and said housing comprises a cam element which is tracked by said follower element in the intermediate position of said control member.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 4, wherein one of said elements is provided with a recess which accommodates the other element in the operative position of said control member.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising release means actuatable to move said control member from operative to starting position and to thus permit renewed operation of said film transporting means.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said control member comprises a rigid third portion and said release means comprises means for withdrawing said second portion from a perforation by way of said third portion so that the second portion can reassume its normal conditiOn in which it engages stop means provided therefor in said housing.
 8. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said control member comprises a springy portion and said housing comprises retainer means for stressing said springy portion so that the latter tends to maintain to maintain said control member in operative position.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion comprises a follower element and said housing comprises a cam element which is tracked by said follower element in the intermediate position of said control member, said follower element having a recess which receives said cam element in the operative position of said control member.
 10. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portions comprises a follower element and said housing comprises a cam element which is tracked by said follower element in the intermediate position of said control member, said cam element having a recess which receives said follower element in the operative position of said control member.
 11. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a film guide and wherein said cam element forms part of said film guide.
 12. A combination as defined in claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a wall and said cam element forms part of said wall. 